Confirmed: Nigeria’s second-highest goalscorer in Serie A out of Juventus, Venezia clash

The Winged Lions will be without their talismanic forward when the Old Ladies visit the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo on Saturday

Nigerian attacker David Okereke is still sidelined and will not be involved in the Italian Serie A matchday 17 clash between Venezia and Juventus.

Venezia manager Paolo Zanetti omitted Okereke’s name when announcing his squad for the Winged Lions’ upcoming match against Juventus at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday evening.

The newly-promoted side will have to find a way to end a terrible run of three consecutive defeats without their joint-leading goalscorer.

Together with Mattia Aramu, Okereke has scored four goals for Venezia, including a memorable winner against a Jose Mourinho-led AS Roma in November.

The 24-year-old is Nigeria’s second-highest goalscorer in the Italian top-flight. Only Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who has five goals, has scored more. 

But the on-loan Club Brugge forward suffered a knock during his side’s 3-4 home defeat to Verona last weekend. And he has not been able to shake off the injury ahead of the arrival of Massimiliano Allegri’s men.

However, compatriot Tyronne Ebuehi is one of the nine defenders that head coach Zanetti has named for Saturday’s league match.

The Super Eagles fullback will look to help Venezia secure their first league win over Juventus since January 1999.

The Old Ladies have got the better of the Winged Lions of late, going unbeaten in their last six Serie A matches, five of which were victories.